EUHR Solana supports decision to remove General Djukic

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), issued the following statement today following the decision by the EUFOR Command to order the removal of General Djukic, Chief of Staff of the VRS (Vojska Republika Srpska - Armed Forces of the Republika Srpska). General Djukic was ultimately responsible for the incidents that occurred at the military induction ceremonies in the Republika Srpska on 16 April 2005.

"I fully support the decision taken today by the EUFOR Command to remove General Djukic, Chief of Staff of the VRS. General Djukic must be held to account for the incidents that occurred at the oath-taking ceremony in Manjaca in April.

We also hold him responsible for the failure of the VRS chain of command to act quickly to restore the loyalty of the VRS to the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I also fully support the additional decision taken by COMEUFOR under the authority of Dayton.

We must now put this crisis behind us. We expect the authorities of BiH and the Entities to return promptly to the process of implementing defence reforms."

| Top |

• EUHR Solana welcomes breakthrough on police restructuring in Bosnia and Herzegovina (29/4/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (23/3/2005)
• EUHR Solana met with the High Representative-EU Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (3/2/2005)